Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Are Scarecrows scary or not?


Can you believe that scarecrows have been around for many centuries? Their original intent was to scare away the birds and animals that were invading the crops in the country fields. Today they have been given a much more prestigious position in American culture. Scarecrows seem to usher in all the fun festivities.


Should we wonder if children are intrigued with the silly faces of our ragged friends, or do they actually associate the scarecrow with all the happiness and family fun that fills the air in the fall? We at MontessorkKid.com celebrate the Harvest Season and give thanks for many, many things..even our funny faced straw friends.



Happy Harvesting to all

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

From show and tell to public speaking


Montessori kids gain great self confidence and self esteem from the dynamics of the Montessori philosophy. Making them feel important and valuable can begin from simply listening to their stories.

From “show and tell,” to public speaking, children pass through the many stages of language development. Expressive receptive language, articulation vocabulary, sharing information and children’s theater/shows provide many opportunities for children to become confident speakers. “Show and tell begins the journey to confident speaking…and leadership!

As parents and educators we strive to foster these qualities in our children. So set the stage for leadership at a very young age and listen carefully to “show and tell.”

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tip of the week- Creative pumpkin carving








The fall season is a great time to bond with family and friends, as we wait in suspense for all of the holidays approaching. One activity that comes to mind during the Halloween/fall season is pumpkin carving.


Sculpted pumpkins are a great decoration for the Halloween holiday. Placing them at entrance of a home or business creates a festive spirit for the harvest season. You can sculpt a simple jack-o'-lantern or carve an intricate design to show off your creative side.


Take your time to trace your design on the flattest surface of your pumpkin. With appropriate carving tools, you can help your child(ren) carefully cut into the pumpkin. This activity should be carefully supervised.

As children become more comfortable with the carving process, they gain more confidence as they cut more accurately along the outline. Pumpkin carving can really be a great outlet of creativity and art design for both child and adult.



Happy Harvest, enjoy the fall season!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fall Activities

Fall is in the air! What a great time to bring Mother Nature into our Montessori classrooms. Better yet, let’s take the children outside to explore all the wonders that the fall season brings.

Finding colorful, fallen leaves always seems like a new event although repeated every year. There is something always amazingly exciting about the anticipation and search for beautiful leaves. Teaching leaf/tree identification is an interesting aspect of Montessori Botany study.

Various teaching materials and art activities are integrated into our daily Montessori program. Leaf rubbing is one of the all time favorites. Combined with real leaves, we incorporate these authentically designed leaf rubbing templates to further enhance an awareness of the natural beauty that surrounds us.

To purchase these Leaf Rubbing Templates please review below.




A great way to reinforce learning about trees, plants and leaves! Lay a piece of paper on top and rub with pencil, crayon, chalk, paint or pastel to create beautiful leaf art. 16 rubbing plates includes: Ginkgo, Sycamore, River Birch, Tulip Poplar, Linden, Sugar Maple, Sassafras, Sweet Gum, Buckeye, Hickory, Dogwood, Holly, Box Elder, Willow, White Oak and Elm leaves. Durable so they can be used year after year.

Each plate measures 5" x 4".
Ages 5 and up.
To order, Click Here
Promocode for 5% off your total purchase: Mont5

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fire Safety & Prevention

Teaching children of all ages about fire safety can be one of the most important lessons that they learn. Educating your child(ren) about fire detection, prevention, and safety will keep them safe and alert in the event of a fire. Please contact your local fire department or local school about fire safety demonstration.



10 Fire Safety Rules


1.) Don't play with matches and lighters. If you see matches or a lighter where you can reach them, don't touch them. Go tell a grown up right away.

2.) Ask your parents to install smoke detectors on every floor and in the sleeping areas of your home. Smoke detectors can save lives. Ask your parents to show you where each one is located.


3.) Remind your parents to test your smoke detectors every month. Make sure everyone in your family is familiar with its piercing sound. Teach them that this sound means danger, and they must escape quickly.


4.) When your parents change the time on your clocks for Daylight Savings, ask them to change your smoke alarm batteries. Give it fresh batteries and your smoke alarm will stay awake and watch for fire while you are sleeping.


5.) In case of fire: DON'T HIDE, GO OUTSIDE! Fires are scary, but you should NEVER hide in closets or under beds when there is a fire.


6.) To escape during a fire; Fall & Crawl. It is easier to breath in a fire if you stay low while getting out.Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to use another way out.


7.) If your clothes are on fire; Stop, Drop, and Roll until the fire is out. Shout for help, but don't run. Running makes fire burn faster.


8.) Have an escape plan and practice it with your family. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.


9.) Choose a meeting place outside, such as a big tree or the end of the driveway, so you will know that everyone has gotten out safely. NEVER go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They have the clothing and equipment to safely rescue people.


10.) Know your local emergency number. Put stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on your refrigerator and every telephone in the house. If there is a fire at your house, choose one family member to leave your meeting place and call the fire department from a neighbors phone.




Thank you to firesafetyforkids.org for providing the 10 Fire Safety Rules

Monday, September 28, 2009

Tip of the week- How to make Apple Sauce

As the fall season approaches, we must not go into dismay that the summer has slipped away. Instead we should embrace the fun filled activities that we are able to do only in the fall season. Let's take advantage while this season is here. There are many activities that can be done in the fall that will delight children of all ages. One that comes to mind is making homemade apple sauce.




Picking your own apples and making apple sauce from scratch can be an educational experience for you and your child! It is also a great time for bonding and adding value to your parent-child relationship. I recommend picking your own apples from an orchard or even a farmer's market. Most applesauce contains two varieties of apples, this adds additional flavor. Peel and core about 6 apples of your choice. Next, fill a pot with water and let the apples cook slowly until soft. Once they are soft, drain the water, and then mash the apples with a utensil. Additional ingredients such as cinnamon, brown sugar or apple zest can be added at your own discretion.

*This is a great opportunity to teach your child a safety lesson. Make sure that you are monitoring your child and that you help with hot pans, boiling water, and sharp utensils.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Welcome to Montessori Kid Blogspot

We would like to thank you for visiting our Montessori Kid Blog. We have created this site in conjunction with our website http://www.montessorikid.com/ in an effort to create a strong Montessori Community that is accessible via the Internet at all times . This blog will provide advice, tips, ideas, and educational information to parents, Montessori educators, and anyone who is interested in the Montessori philosophy.

We would love to hear feedback in the form of tips, stories, and ideas from moms, dads, and anyone who loves kids.

This site is dedicated "For children and those who love them.."